Election Center
Court rejects bid to keep gun-control measure off ballot
An effort to get the Washington Supreme Court to block a proposed gun-control initiative was dismissed.
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue endorses work requirements for food assistance
Congress is preparing to reconcile two versions of the farm bill, a sweeping piece of legislation renewed every five years that governs an array of agricultural and food assistance programs, including SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue seeks to allay farmers’ trade concerns
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue sought to assure Eastern Washington agriculture and forestry leaders on Monday that American farmers will not bear the brunt of an international trade war. But Perdue would not say, specifically, how his USDA might assist farmers hurt by retaliatory tariffs imposed by China and other trading partners.
Paul Turner: Mungo Jerry for Congress
When a red sign appears in a yard right next door to a lawn sporting a blue sign, I like to imagine how those neighbors get along in these polarized times.
Carbon fee initiative likely headed for Washington’s November ballot
Supporters of an initiative to impose a fee on fossil fuels turn in signatures.
4 initiative drives could turn in signatures next week
Four initiative petition drives may have enough signatures to make the ballot, secretary of state’s office says.
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers votes against Republican legislation on immigration
The Congresswoman continued Thursday to push a so-called “consensus bill” that is scheduled for a vote next week. But that bill doesn’t have the support of Democrats in Congress, nor the U.S. Senate, and has been criticized by civil rights groups for doing little to improve the nation’s immigration system.
Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Lisa Brown both say Trump correct in reversing family separation policy
But the candidates disagreed on the next steps in Congress, with the House of Representatives set to vote on a pair of bills Thursday that have been forwarded by Republicans. They both have an unclear path in the Senate.
Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Lisa Brown both call for end to immigrant family separation policy
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers said she was working to bring legislation to the House of Representatives’ floor that would address both the detention issue and other immigration reforms. Her Democratic challenger, Lisa Brown, urged swifter action to stop the policy, saying Congress shouldn’t let larger issues or a potential veto from President Donald Trump get in the way of ending the practice.
Ruling puts ‘Zamboni’ John’s Supreme Court campaign on ice
Zamboni John Scannell filed for his third run at a Washington Supreme Court seat. Unlike the first two times, however, he’s not going to be on the ballot.
Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Lisa Brown both highlight their roles as working moms in early ads
This week saw Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Lisa Brown trade early campaign advertisements touching on each woman’s motherly bona fides.
Democrats, Republicans square off in race for 6th District seat currently held by Jeff Holy
Two Democratic candidates are looking to become a state representative in Washington’s 6th district. Republican Jeff Holy will leave his spot in the House this fall to pursue a bid for the state Senate. Two Democrats and two Republicans seek to replace him. The other 6th District seat is held by Republican Mike Volz, who faces a challenge from Kay Murano, executive director of the Spokane Low Income Housing Consortium.
Spin Control: Ruling puts judicial candidate ‘Zamboni’ John on ice
Judicial races are usually pretty ho-hum, but “Zamboni” John Scannell introduced some controversy into a Supreme Court race, albeit briefly.
Sandy Hook group gives award to Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Lisa Brown calls for more action on gun violence
The group Sandy Hook Promise awarded the congresswoman for her work pushing legislation that authorized federal money for school training programs and measures like metal detectors to address school shootings. The bill has been criticized as lacking measures to address access to guns, and McMorris Rodgers’ likely opponent in the November bid for Eastern Washington’s seat in Congress echoed those concerns.
Gov. Jay Inslee pushes rural broadband access, slams Trump on net neutrality and immigration
The governor said in a wide-ranging podcast interview this week that Washington needs to continue to do more to bring high-speed internet to far-flung areas of the state. The Democrat, eyed as a potential presidential candidate in 2020, also criticized the Trump administration for its stance on net neutrality regulations and immigration policy.
Cathy McMorris Rodgers: DOJ wrong not to defend pre-existing condition measures in Affordable Care Act
The congresswoman, who has maintained a tepid alliance with the Trump administration, on Wednesday spoke out against its plan not to defend portions of the health care law set up to ensure sick people can find coverage. Critics say the GOP has not offered a plan that would ensure the same level of coverage.
Lisa Brown releases first TV ad in bid to unseat Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Lisa Brown’s first TV spot focuses on the former state legislator’s experience in Olympia in 1993, when the chief clerk of the House of Representatives told her she couldn’t bring her one-year-old son on the floor for a vote.
Supreme Court to review deadly force initiative
The Washington Supreme Court sets hearing on whether voters should vote on an initiative that would change state laws on police use of deadly force.
Democrats poised to claim ballot slots in nearly all House districts in California
California Democrats on Wednesday were poised to claim slots on nearly every House ballot on the year’s biggest day of primary elections, a major step forward in the party’s pursuit of the majority in November.
Spin Control: Candidates can be relentless in the race for cash
Pleas for money fill up the inbox in campaign season.